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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jimmer Fredette scored 11 points off the bench to help the Sacramento Kings beat the New Orleans Hornets 99-98 Wednesday.
The visiting Hornets possessed the ball and the lead with 8.9 seconds left, but rookie Isaiah Thomas stole the inbounds pass and fed John Salmons for the go-ahead bucket with 6.8 seconds remaining. A last-second shot by New Orleans guard Trevor Ariza fell short and the Kings won their first game since beating the Utah Jazz on Feb. 28.
Fredette appeared more comfortable against the last-place team in the Western Conference, and played 28 minutes off the bench. Fredette also shot the ball well connecting on 50 percent of his attempts and dished out a team-high five assists without committing a turnover.
The game has definitely slowed down for me. I feel more comfortable out there. When you have the opportunity, you make the best of it.
–Jimmer Fredette
“The game has definitely slowed down for me. I feel more comfortable out there. When you have the opportunity, you make the best of it,” Fredette told reporters after the game.
So far in the month of March, Fredette has shown the ability to lead the Kings' second unit and score high volumes in key stretches during games.
“Our bench has done a tremendous job over the last two weeks of keeping the games close and they did it again tonight,” coach Keith Smarth said.
Against the Clippers, Fredette scored 11 points in just 13 minutes and helped change a 10-point deficit into an eight-point lead in the second quarter. Against the Lakers, Fredette scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and helped lead a late rally cutting a deficit to five after being down by 20 at one point.
“That second unit comes in and we’ve been playing pretty well together,” Fredette said. “We have a little niche there. We’re moving the ball well, playing good defense, and have a lot of shooters on the floor. It’s been working really well and hopefully we’ll continue to progress.”
Fredette has shown continual progression in his game, especially on defense. Steve Levin and Bryan Rosa from A Royal Pain have taken note and are encouraged at Fredette’s improved all-around play.
“We’re starting to see Jimmer make some strides on the defensive side. He has come such a long way as a defender. It’s ridiculous to think of how bad he was early on. And his offensive IQ means he’ll continue making improvements on that end,” said a Royal Pain.
“For Fredette, who struggled mightily on the defensive end earlier in the season, he’s finally looking adequate (at times) on the defensive side of the ball. No, certainly nothing to brag about — but you can see the improvement. In addition to his better man-to- man, Jimmer has stopped with the offensive hesitation, no longer seeming afraid to step on toes — putting up the shot he’s paid to shoot and along with the better decision making and solid passing, the 'rookieness' is starting to shed its skin for Jimmertime. Like any young player, growing pains will linger and he’ll have his 'doh' moments but to watch Fredette right now as opposed to game four or five of the season, it’s a huge change for the better.”
“It’s just about being patient going out there and playing your game and letting it come to you,” Fredette said. “Just be ready when you get in there. Just feeling more comfortable with your role.”
Andrew Devey is a senior at BYU studying communications. You can read more of his work at adevey.com or following him on Twitter @adevey.
